Lucknow, Aug 10 (NationPress) The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, has launched a remarkable initiative this Raksha Bandhan, offering free bus rides for women, resulting in a record number of nearly 75 lakh beneficiaries as of Sunday, according to an official statement.

The Parivahan Nigam reported that an impressive 70 percent of total passengers were utilizing this government initiative, which was available for three days starting from August 8.

This scheme permits women and one accompanying traveler to enjoy free travel on Parivahan Nigam buses.

Since its inception in 2017, this free bus travel initiative on Raksha Bandhan has benefitted over 1.23 lakh women in the past eight years.

According to Parivahan Nigam MD Masoom Ali Sarwar, daily bus ridership typically ranges between 14–15 lakh, but during the first two days of Raksha Bandhan, passenger numbers exceeded 50 lakh.

The 66-hour free travel program, called 'Samman Ka Tohfa', began at 6 am on August 8, attracting large crowds.

On the first day, approximately 19.5 lakh passengers used the service, while 31.7 lakh traveled on August 9, marking a significant 210 percent increase in passenger numbers compared to regular days.

By 12:50 p.m. on August 10, 13 lakh passengers had already traveled, with projections estimating the total to reach 25 lakh by midnight.

Following the Chief Minister's directive, free travel for women was provided across all categories of roadway buses from 6 a.m. on August 8 until midnight on August 10.

To accommodate the surge in passengers, additional buses were deployed, and all contractual buses were utilized, Sarwar mentioned.

Special duty staff were assigned to major bus terminals in cities such as Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Meerut, Bareilly, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Kanpur, and Etawah due to the high volume of travelers.

Moreover, an incentive program for drivers and conductors was introduced, offering Rs 1,200 for completing 1,800 km and an extra Rs 0.55 for working six consecutive days.

Technical staff present during this period will receive a lump sum of Rs 500, while staff maintaining good operational standards will be rewarded with Rs 5,000 per station.

Many women beneficiaries across the state expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for this initiative.

They believe this program is more than just a transport facility; it symbolizes women’s empowerment and respect. It has not only amplified the joy of Raksha Bandhan but also provided a sense of safe, accessible, and dignified travel.

Sandhya, a traveler from Jhansi, remarked that the Yogi government has positively impacted women's sentiments. Similarly, Jeetu, a passenger at the Moradabad bus depot, noted that this initiative benefits millions and shared her heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister. Women from the Muslim community also took advantage of this offer, thanking the Yogi government for the opportunity.